Hello Steemians,
I hope you all are doing wonderful, And I too am enjoying these small breaks from the work. About a month back I did the story writing on the Steemit and it went well I enjoyed the story writing with the "GOOD CAB, BAD CAB" and "This ain't a movie review". So here I am back with a new story I hope you all will like it.

All I hear is clinking of the spoon and the plate as if they are angry too.
This is the first time we ever had dinner in such a silent environment. Most of the time it is filled with either laughter or some stupid political debates, at times heated arguments too. But tonight was different. It felt like, I was having dinner with the strangers.

“Tell me, This is a sick, twisted joke” Dad broke the silence looking at me straight in the eye. The caring nature of his voice is gone, It was just a stranger asking another one a question. I kept quiet.

“Don’t need to raise your Blood pressure” The family doctor, My mother spoke. It always fascinated me that no matter what she always talks in the doctor's term. She is always a doctor first then my mother.

“How do you expect me to stay calm, Sheela? You know what this means?”. My Dad, the military man shouted and maybe it is not his fault. Years of service has taken a toll on him. He has seen war, been wounded and been broken. And after taking voluntary retirement at the age of 45 and doing what most of the middle age men does, i.e investing in stock and expecting to make more money, maybe he craves the war or battle. And now he just found a reason to go on war, unfortunately, this time it is against his own daughter.

I had been in the house for an entire day, He could have picked any time to speak, But he chooses this time, the only time when all four of us are together at the dinner to address the “Problem”. He could have at least let everyone else finish the dinner before turning the dining hall into a freaking courtroom, Where they all could judge me for who I am.

“Maa, Pass me the gravy!!!”, finally my brother spoke. He has buried himself in the plate full of rice and dal. No matter how grim the situation he always focuses on the food at the table. Other times he competes with goldfish for shortest attention span and doesn't indulge much in the conversations. But today his silence was different. As if making a statement that he is angry too.

“Sheela, I am still not able to understand where we went wrong? We did everything that is right? Gave her good education & manners. She used to be a good girl, everyone in the family looks up to her and Now this. Are we not good parents?” For the very first time in my life I have seen my Dad, almost tearing up. Never before, I had seen him struggle so much with the words, which is slurry because of the anger and disappointment. That is what who I am now, I have grown up to be a disappointment.

“Please dear, Try to stay calm. You already are in a bad health. Don’t stress too much”. There she goes again, My mother, the doctor. I wish she knew more about my condition but unfortunately, I am alone in this mess. “Let’s finish the dinner, everyone. And we can deal with this problem later.”

There we go again sitting around like 4 cows munching on their food. The moment was getting more awkward with each passing second. "I am done" Dad got up. And took the plate to the kitchen sink, The military habits and manners are still in play. Mom also finished hers and offered another scoop of rice to my brother. Which he declined without even raising his head. I wanted to say something but I felt so choked up that all I could do is raise my hand helpless towards my mother.

I went back to my room after finishing the family dinner, which was more of a funeral. To be honest, someone did really die today. I died this afternoon, To be precise my older self died. The sweet little girl everyone in love with had died. Now all is left is this stranger who nobody acknowledges. It 09:00 PM and the entire house was silent. I was missing the usual noise of the news channel and the comments of my dad on the cheesy headlines. Nothing... but dead silent.

Sitting on the bed I was holding on the strip of the ibuprofen which has 7 tablets in it. Thinking whether this will be enough to put me out of this misery. Or will it just puts me in the hospital and turning my situation to more pathetic. The knock on the door interrupted my sick thoughts.

"So, How you doing, Di?" This was a surprise for me. He rarely talks to me and this might the first time in 2-3 years since he had stepped into my room.

"What do you want?" I questioned my brother.

"Just checking in on you, You know this is the first time ever that you screwed up and being an expert in that area I am here to offer you my support" Usually he acts sarcastic. But today It felt like he was genuine and almost sounded like he is trying to say that he is there for me. I couldn't control my emotions and hugged him and cried.

"I don't know what to do? I... I... am sorry" I manage to get crying in words. He stood there without saying anything. "I am really sorry, I didn't mean any of this to happen, But It happened. I don't know what to do? I am hurting because of how everybody is treating me and I am scared." I was sobbing so bad, that I wasn't sure whether he understood anything. "Please don't stay quiet, talk to me, Say something!!!"

"If you keep crying like this I am out of here" he replied. I wiped my tears and stood there still sobbing.

"So It is true. When I heard from Mom, I almost didn't believe it. And well, Dad is still in denial. So I am going, to be honest, the situation is a mess and I honestly do know what to say or do. But we will work it out. You know as a family". Hearing him say this suddenly stirred more emotions in me. On the verge of crying again I asked him "What family? They barely even look at me."

The reply was harsh and in an annoyed tone "What you expected then, that they will come running saying congratulations on being the first lesbian in the family? No, really what you thought was going to happen, coming out to mom like that?"

This was the first time I was addressed by that word. I was shocked and couldn't get my thoughts sorted. I stood there while the tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"Don't cry. We will get through this." I heard the word and felt a much-needed hug.

Episode 2 - The Aftermath - I am sorry (Short Story by @inuke)

I am

I would really like to thank the IndiaUnited and Be Awesome group for there support and love.
Stick around to find out what happens next.

Also I am a proud member of Indiaunited a community committed to help and support quality contents and guide the new minnows. If are new to Steem and has no clue please join our IndiaUnited Discord Channel. Do check, IndiaUnited trail, a dedicated trail to support fellow steemians to write and promote quality content, Community growth is the precursor to Individual growth. To find more about the trail, please visit : Indiaunited Curation trail

If you would like to delegate to @IndiaUnited you can do so by clicking on the following links: 5SP, 10SP, 15SP, 20SP 25SP, 50SP, 100SP, 250SP. Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.